American Board of Ophthalmology (ABO) Practice Exam 2026 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Exam Success

The aqueous humor plays a vital role in maintaining the overall health and function of the eye. Its primary purpose is to maintain intraocular pressure, which is crucial for keeping the eye's shape and facilitating proper optical function. This pressure helps to support the retina and other intraocular structures.

Additionally, the aqueous humor is responsible for supplying nutrients, such as glucose and amino acids, to the avascular structures of the eye, including the lens and cornea. These tissues do not have their own blood supply, so they rely on the aqueous humor for essential nourishment. The removal of metabolic wastes from these structures is another key function of the aqueous humor, contributing to the eye's overall homeostasis.

While the other options mention important functions of different parts of the eye or indirectly relate to overall eye health, they do not specifically describe the unique and primary roles of the aqueous humor. Therefore, option B accurately captures the essential functions of this fluid within the eye.